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Android Canary 2610 arrives with new Pixel customization options and a missing HiLight feature
Oct 8, 2026 — 1:14 AM ET
- Google has released Android Canary 2610 with a revamped Wallpaper & style experience.
- Pixel 11 Pro’s HiLight also appears to be getting support for WhatsApp message notifications.
Google has released a new Android Canary build for developers and enthusiasts to test, and Android Canary 2610 comes with several interesting changes for Pixel phones.
The new build, ZP11.260918.007, is available for a wide range of Pixel devices, including the Pixel 11 series.
We’ve found a few notable changes in the latest release, including a revamped Wallpaper & style experience and what appears to be support for WhatsApp in Pixel 11’s HiLight notification feature.
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To start with, the Wallpaper & style section in the latest Android Canary build now features a new carousel with options for custom icons and theme packs. Google appears to have removed AI wallpaper and Emoji Workshop from this carousel in the latest build.
The previous Live Effects option has also been replaced with three separate options: Shape effects, Animate, and Weather effects.
There’s also a Featured button at the top of this section. Tapping it brings up the carousel again.
HiLight is getting WhatsApp support
The other interesting discovery involves the Pixel 11 Pro’s HiLight feature.
Android 17 QPR2 Beta 6.1 introduced support for HiLight LED notifications for messages. However, WhatsApp was notably absent from the supported messaging apps.
That appears to be changing with the latest Android Canary build.
Strings found in a Pixel 9 build indicate that Google is preparing to add WhatsApp support.
<string name="light_animations_messages_subtitle">Google Messages, WhatsApp</string><string name="light_animations_favorite_message_summary">Subtle lights when your favorite contacts message you with Google Messages or WhatsApp</string>Based on these strings, HiLight should now support WhatsApp messages on the Pixel 11 Pro phones in the latest Canary build, though we haven’t been able to verify the feature just yet.
Android Canary 2610 availability
Google says the new Canary build is available as a system image for the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Pixel 10a, Pixel 10 series, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 9 series, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 8a, Pixel 8 series, Pixel 7 series, Pixel 6a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, and GSI.
Once a Canary build is flashed, the device will receive Canary OTA updates approximately once a month. Getting off the Canary channel requires flashing a non-Canary build, which will result in a full data wipe.
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